This invention relates to the field of footswitches; more particularly to footswitches used to control patient treatment apparatus used by physicians, surgeons, dentists, veterinarians, etc.
During the use of a complex patient treatment apparatus; for example, the handpiece used when performing ophthalmic surgery, the control of a variety of different subsystems such as pneumatic and electronically driven sub-systems is required. Typically, the operation of the sub-systems included in a complex patient treatment apparatus is controlled by a microprocessor-driven console that receives mechanical inputs from either the user of the device or from an assistant. A control device, generically known as a footswitch, is often used for receiving the mechanical inputs which originate from the movement of the foot of a user to govern the operation of a sub-system. The mechanical inputs from the movement of the foot of the user become electrical signals which are used to control the operational characteristics of a subsystem in a complex patient treatment apparatus.
Examples of footswitches that are designed for receiving mechanical inputs from the movement of the foot of a user operating a complex patient treatment apparatus may be found in U.S. patents, including U.S. Pat. No. 4,837,857 (Scheller, et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 4,965,417 (Massie); U.S. Pat. No. 4,983,901 (Lehmer); U.S. Pat. No. 5,091,656 (Gahn); U.S. Pat. No. 5,268,624 (Zanger); U.S. Pat. No. 5,554,894 (Sepielli); U.S. Pat. No. 5,580,347 (Reimels); U.S. Pat. No. 5,635,777 (Telymonde, et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 5,787,760 (Thorlakson); U.S. Pat. No. 5,983,749 (Holtorf); and U.S. Pat. No. 6,179,829 B1 (Bisch, et al.); and in International Patent Application Publication Nos. WO 98/08442 (Bisch, et al.); WO 00/12037 (Chen); and WO 02/01310 (Chen). These aforementioned patents and patent applications focus primarily on footswitches which include a foot pedal or tiltable treadle. The movement of the foot pedal or tiltable treadle typically provides a linear control input such as may be used, for example, for regulating rotational speed, power, or reciprocal motion.
In more complex footswitch assemblies, side or wing switches are typically located on either side of the foot pedal or tiltable treadle. The condition of these side or wing switches is changed by the application of pressure from the front portion of the user's foot or from the rear portion of the user's foot. However, given the ever-increasing complexity of patient treatment apparatus, there remains a need in the art to provide additional control features on a footswitch; while, at the same time, not making the footswitch overly complex. It has been found that one of the most usable additional control features would be a second separate proportional control input beyond the linear control input provided by a single foot pedal or tiltable treadle. In addition, there is a need to assure that the footswitch is ergonomically sound to minimize fatigue of the user's foot or leg, as such fatigue may cause improper control inputs. Such improper control inputs have the potential of injuring a patient.
In one aspect, the present invention is a footswitch including a base assembly and a pivotable treadle mounted on the base assembly for providing a control output. The treadle has an adjustable length to accommodate different size feet.
In another aspect, the present invention is a footswitch including a base assembly, a side switch mounted on the base assembly for providing a first control output; and a pivotable treadle mounted on the base assembly for providing a second control output. The treadle has a top surface and a plate on the top surface. The plate is slidably disposed along a linear path relative to the top surface so as to facilitate actuation of the side switch by the user's foot.
The present invention minimizes fatigue of the user's foot or leg and helps to insure proper use of the footswitch.
For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and for further objects and advantages thereof, reference is made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
The preferred embodiments of the present invention and their advantages are best understood by referring to
As best seen in
Attached to the foot pedal or tiltable treadle 16 is a DC motor/encoder 22. The angular position of the foot pedal or treadle 16, which is tiltable with respect to a horizontal plane or to a neutral or home plane, provides the first system for converting of mechanical input from movement of the user's foot into an electrical signal. Thus, the movement of the foot pedal or tiltable treadle 16 provides a proportional control input, which is preferably a linear control input.
As shown in the drawing figures, the footswitch assembly 10 of the present invention provides a second separate proportional control input using the disclosed construction of the heel cup assembly 18. The heel cup assembly 18 is positioned at the rear portion of the footswitch 10 to engage the user's heel. The heel cup assembly 18 is positioned over a thrust bearing assembly 28. Such construction allows the user to rotate the heel cup assembly 18 through an arcuate path while the user's heel effectively remains in the same spot.
In the preferred embodiment and as shown in
To further enhance control of the second control signal, a simple on/off switch, well known to those of ordinary skill in the art, may be included in the heel cup assembly 18 to activate the signal output from the potentiometer 38. Alternatively, such on/off switches could also be used to prevent inadvertent activation of the side switches 20. Such on/off switch may be a slide switch moving along the linear path within the heel cup assembly 18 as is designated by the arrow marked A′ illustrated in
Further on
Still further on
In yet another embodiment, a mechanical or electrical latching mechanism 40, well known to those of ordinary skill in the art, may be included to release the heel cup assembly 18, and thus allow it to rotate. In the preferred embodiment, a return spring 44 is also included to allow the entire heel cup assembly 18 to return it to a home or neutral position.
While the present system and method has been disclosed according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that other embodiments have also been enabled. Such other embodiments shall fall within the scope and meaning of the appended claims.
This application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/520,381 filed Nov. 13, 2003.
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